News

A Montrose-based pottery and creative arts studio has invested in new equipment to expand its classes and improve production after securing £4,500 in grant funding from Angus Council, thanks to support from Business Gateway. Clay Half offers a dedicated space for pottery enthusiasts and creati

Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce has urged the UK government to scrap the Energy Profits Levy (EPL) after official figures revealed a dramatic slump in revenues from North Sea oil and gas.

Glasgow-headquartered Weir Group has announced a binding agreement to acquire Fast2Mine, a Brazilian provider of mine management software (MMS). The move is set to accelerate Weir’s expansion into the South American market and enhance its digital solutions for the global mining industry.

Bank of Scotland-owner Lloyds Banking Group has announced it will close a further 13 Scottish branches. The closures, part of a broader 49 closures across the UK, are scheduled to take place between January and October 2026.

Mackays has climbed the ranks to become the UK’s second-largest marmalade brand, capturing a 7.6% share of the market volume, up from 5.8% in 2024. According to the latest Nielsen data, a 26% increase in consumer spending has also cemented its position as the fastest-growing marmalade brand in

Speaking at the University of Glasgow's Adam Smith Business School, a Bank of England policymaker has called for a fundamental rethink of how central banks respond to economic shocks, arguing that a cautious approach to cutting interest rates is necessary in an increasingly volatile world. Monetary

STV reported a pre-tax loss of £200,000 for the first half of the year, a sharp downturn from the £4.8 million profit recorded in the same period last year. The loss was driven by a 16% fall in national linear advertising, contributing to a 10% drop in total advertising revenue to £

Port of Aberdeen has appointed Ross MacRae as its new financial controller. Mr MacRae joined the port as a member of the functional leadership team on Monday 25 August and reports to chief financial officer, Jon Oakey. Mr MacRae is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants

Argyll & Bute has become the fifth Scottish council to stop developing plans for a local Visitor Levy amid concerns about the potential impact on the tourist economy. Councillors voted against developing its plans at this stage after the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) highlighted worries a

A tourist hotspot has announced a new tax on dogs, to be paid both by local residents and visitors. Bolzano, in northern Italy, will ask local residents to pay an annual tax of €100 per dog, while tourists will have to cough up €1.50 per dog per day of their visit.

Scotland’s Budget for 2026-27 is set to be delayed until 15 January, a move Finance Secretary Shona Robison has described as "unavoidable" due to the late scheduling of the UK government's Autumn Statement. Ms Robison had originally preferred a December date for the Holyrood budget. However, w

The Scottish Government has signalled a potential shift in its controversial visitor levy policy, acknowledging industry concerns and committing to exploring alternative models, such as a flat-rate charge. The move comes as Orkney Islands Council becomes the latest local authority to reject the intr

Scotland’s onshore GDP fell by 0.3% in July 2025, a reversal from the revised 0.7% growth seen in June, according to the latest figures from the Chief Statistician. Despite the monthly contraction, the broader picture shows growth of 0.5% for the three-month period ending in July when compared

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has restarted its controversial Direct Recovery of Debts (DRD) programme, which allows it to take money directly from the bank accounts of certain debtors.

Wbg’s 168 Whisky Club moves into the autumnal season this week with another tasting from Ferguson Whisky, whom it has supported from inception. The club, formed 12 years ago by founder Donald McKinnon, is a fusion of mixing business and pleasure with a networking club.